1966 Marcos 1500 GT Wooden Chassis - Good easy project

1966 Wooden Chassis Marcos 1500 GT (5015)

Here I have for sale my 1966 Marcos wooden chassis. chassis no 5015. Im selling her as an ongoing project due to other commitments (my business and a young family) I just don't really have the time to give her to finish. please do not be mistaken I neither particularly want nor need to sell her but feel guilty leaving her in current condition when someone else will get enjoyment out of her long before I get chance to get her finished. (the missus would rather i sell this than the Porsche which gets a little more use lol)

Now this Marcos has a little twist. not only does this sale give you the chance to own one of the rarest Marcos models (only 82 1500GT's produced between 1966 & 1967 before the adoption of the 1600 crossflow engine) but this one has pedigree. the car was originally owned by a Teeside nightclub owner (who until his unfortunate death last year resided in Doncaster) and he and friends would head to Mallory park on a Sunday for a days sport. after several defeats to friends in Lotus Elans he sent the car to Mike Broad at Broadspeed to be tuned. and now boasts a sorted engine which has literally just been rebuilt with all new parts were necessary. The engine is a 1500gt block with big wing sump. +0. 060 Hepolite pistons. ported and polished head with big valves (it does not have unleaded seats due to the temperatures the engine will generate making them unreliable) the crank is standard size and has been lightened and balanced as have the conrods and Flywheel. I have just had the flywheel ringgear replaced (I had a replacement ring gear flown in from the only person who can make them in New Zealand at extensive cost as you can imagine) to finish it off the engine has a matched 4 branch exhaust manifold and twin 40 dellorto carburettors with short trumpets. (This engine package alone is valued at £2000. 00) to ice the already sweet cake. there is the original Marcos Aluminium finned rocker box and I have had the horrible standard ford filler cap replaced with a chrome quick cap from a period source. With the engine also comes a fully rebuilt Lucas starter motor and Dynamo.

The engine couples to a Ford 2000E “Rocket” Gearbox (£350 worth for a Mk1 Cortina GT) which has been fully rebuilt – just because. Included is a brand new clutch friction disc and pressure plate and release bearing. I have the original clutch slave cylinder which has been refurbished with original parts (one of the hardest items to source on this car a non genuine repro easy sells for £100. 00)

The Propshaft has been fully rebuilt with new UJ's and a replacement input shaft due to corrosion.

The Axle has been 80% rebuilt as you will see in the picture it needs finishing off but the hard bit has been done. the 3:9 differential has been fully rebuilt and set up by a professional who builds motorsport differentials for English axles. The Axle comes with ford PCD as the original owner had it replaced from Triumph to Ford to make wheels more available. There is a number of Original large bore brake cylinders and the brakes are the GT 9” “Big Brakes” as per original 1 brake cylinder is rebuilt and fitted there are a number more and I believe 1 is ready to fit but there is definitely rebuild kits to complete if not. There are brake shoes which ideally need re-lining.

Front Suspension has more or less been rebuilt and what hasn't been is supplied with the new parts to do so. The front suspension is the original for the car and is made up of Triumph Mk1 Herald uprights (these unlike the spitfire and mk2 herald don't have the brake brackets cast into them. they are separate and more sought after) there is 2 new bottom trunions. new top joints. new rubbers. new wheel bearings in the aluminium hubs (yes aluminium hubs - £300 a pair today how much were they in the 1960's?) new brake discs and BRAND NEW P16 Calipers (again another upgrade from the original owner) The Front Springs are in good condition just rusty. im providing the front shock absorbers as patterns as they had to be cut off.   The Front subframe has been removed from the car. shotblasted and first coat painted (will require a quick rub down and a top coat) There is a fully rebuilt steering rack with new joints and antirollbar solid mounting kit and new drop links.

There is 2 Girling Servo's which are correct for the car and are taken from the Mk1 Lotus Cortina and are as rare as hens teeth it took me 3 years to get the second one to make 1 good one from the pair. To go with these I have had both the clutch and the brake master cylinder refurbished along with the pedal box. The pedal box is the adjustable type. the adjuster is there as is the handwheel and the adjustment all works as it should and it has the Marcos top  cover which is currently in primer.

Rear suspension is part restored all the link arms and the panard rod have been rebuilt professionally and I have all the rubbers for them at the axle end you will need the mounting rubbers from Marcos Heritage Spares to complete. The suspension mounting brackets and the rear chassis stiffener will need replacing but the old ones are provided as pattern (simple fabrication for any competent fabricator) Rear springs are good and provided but shock absorbers are same as front and had to be cut off also. Coil over suspension kits are off the shelf available at Marcos Heritage and are GAZ kits of a good quality used by many Marcos owners.

Originally the car was supplied on Marcos alloys the first owner sold these and replaced them with Peter Emery Racing alloys (I have a photograph which will come in the providence pack showing these - i will say that i have moved twice since i started collecting this pack but im sure i know where it all is) unfortunately these were long gone when I acquired the car and are no longer available. I acquired some BRAND NEW 1967 Shelby Cobra 500 Super Slots with BRAND NEW Period Kleber tyres which are worth a fortune on their own these come with nuts. centre caps and are a straight fit and will set this Marcos completely apart from any other as I. e only ever seen 1 other set.

The car tub is in good condition given its age. ive owned the car since 2007 and it has been stored in a dry garage all the time ive had it and the previous owner had done the same. There is a very small area to repair where the rear brake line mounts in front of the axle. needs a fibreglass repair over the wood. All the floors are solid. the rear parcel shelf has small areas of de-lamination but nothing that worries me I was simply going to rub it down and cover it with the carpet. The body has been painted black and gold by one of the previous owners underneath this is the original Norfolk Blue which the car sported from the factory and the colour I was going to repaint the bodyshell. The Body requires prep for paint and painting there is very little issue with it. the bonnet and boot are good and need painting after preparation. The doors require a little attention. the car should have drop glass windows the passenger side still has the rail is there (needs replacing ideally) the drivers window a previous owner has attempted to convert it to a winder – badly. my intention was to have a pair of new sliders made. one for each side and remove the aluminium monstrosity that someone has created in the door. The Passenger door requires a new (or at least a partial rebuild) door hinge as the bottom section of the hinge has corroded away the drivers side is there to copy and 80% of the passenger side is there aswell. Both doors are in great condition and the frames are all but perfect. the rain gutters are provided also.

There is a full set of locks. Bonnet lock. boot lock. door locks and ignition. There are several door locks to choose from including a pair of brand new ones complete with keys and being British Leyland the keys fit all the locks…

All the Glass is present. the original laminated windscreen is provided (not photographed) as are the chrome wiper arms and wipers. both door glasses and quarter lights are present and still fitted. The rear screen is the original. unfortunately it has sustained damage at some point in storage before I acquired the car. the screen comes with the car for prosterity as there is two stickers in the window from the original owners night clubs in Teeside and I would hope the new owner will have them copied and placed in the car again - like I was planning to do.

There are 4 bumpers for the car. these are the originals and the fronts are the version with the short over riders moulded in. The rear bumpers require a little attention as the brackets have taken some damage over the years.

Interior. inside the car as you see in the pictures the carpets are all gone baring little sections here and there. the door cards are present but need some work. the door pockets are there but these and the dash top need completely recovering in Black leather. The Seats are all there but due to the construction nature of the Marcos seat are both in need of some attention. both seat bases need re upholstering. the old material is there and the passenger seat is nearly complete. The seat backs both have nicks in the leather on the door edges from people getting in and out. the drivers seat also requires the back support re attaching. The Centre tunnel leather is original and in good original condion as is the gear lever gaiter attached to it. I also have a new ash tray and interior light (£100 easy) the interior light surround and rear panel is in good condition and present. The Car from factory was fitted with a tape deck (8track I believe) and as such there is speaker holes in the rear parcel shelf side panels I have the chrome speaker grills for these. they are in need of re-chroming (i can give the new owner details of a very good chroming company). I also have an original pyrene fire extinguisher fitted by the first owner onto the rear panel between the boot hinges this is in immaculate condition. There is also an old stock ash tray.

The dashboard is the worst bit of the car. some time in its past someone has 1 lost the centre console. 2 attempted to make a new one and 3 covered the walnut dash in leather and padded it. the dash basically wants replacing. im led to believe that Rory at Marcos Heritage Spares can still supply these as that was my intention. All the gauges are present and have been sympathetically restored. the original milage is shown on the genuine speedo (which has the remote reset which locates below the dash panel) the Tacho. amp meter. oil pressure. temperature and fuel gauge are all present as is the glovebox and glovebox handle for the new dash.

Im supplying two steering wheels with the car. the first is a black one which is a 10” diameter wheel the second is one I purchased to fit to contrast more with the black dash and go more with the tan door cards and carpets is slightly bigger being either 11or 12” diameter. the aluminium steering boss has been machine polished and is wrapped up with the car.

All the wiring is original and still installed in the car. ive been through the wiring with a fine tooth comb and cannot find a reason to replace it. my intention was to repair where necessary and to re tape the loom as someone has repaired the loom tape with green in the past. With the car comes 4 sealed beam headlights and the associated fittings. 1 headlight cover as a pattern. 2 as new front marker/indicator lights (with the original spacers from the car) rear stop/tail lights and rear reflectors. there is a replacement numberplate light to mount in the boot. You will require 2 rear indicator lamps from a Hillman imp. The Heater is all present. the 1500gt model came with a Smiths Heater bower unit taken from the Hillman Superminx (the original one supplied with the car when I bought it was rotten and I spent years sourcing another to replace it. I ended up making one from two and I have painstakenly stripped them down and built one good one which I know I could easily sell for upwards of £200 as I had to give 75 for another rotten one to salvage parts from. The heater matrix is present and in good solid condition in the dash of the car. ive had it working without leaks and im happy to leave it there as I didn't want to disturb it.

Finally I have the original Marcos enamel bonnet badge and I have the boot script badge for her as well. There is both bonnet chrome latches in good condition too.

Right now on top of that lot which must conclude the car…

There is the original brass chassis plate and a full V5c for the car in my name.

The original registration when new was JFD954D however the first owner put his registration onto her shortly after taking delivery and I have a picture of her when he acquired his 3L in 1970 parked side by side with KRR3 on the plate. The Current Reg is FETXXXD however im also pleased to offer my dateless period registration which is valued by reg-transfers at £1100. 00 YYD 545 (means nothing but I acquired it to put on the car to cover the age related it is currently on due to the re-registration after the removal of the private plate.

There you have it. as you can tell from this detailed brief I know what I have got. and I know what she is worth to me especially with all the character this one has got. but Business and family commitments just don't allow me the time she deserves.

Your one and only opportunity to find such a complete piece of history with so many rare and usually missing parts. Never mind just to own one of the rarest British sports cars ever made…

There is probably loads I have missed (how I don't know) but if you've any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. Dan my work number is 01759 305311 Tuesday to Friday 8. 30 – 5. 30 Saturdays 9 – 3 or email me your number and ill call you if you can't get me within those hours as im a really busy guy and evenings are busy for me aswell (family time) 

The car is located near York YO41 postcode 30 mins from the M1 on major roads.

I collected this car in 2007 from Plymouth and I collected it in a XLWB Mercedes Sprinter van (photos to prove) and everything went in it body and all. Trailer loading is not a problem at the cars location.

International bidders are welcome. please contact me before bidding though please as I do have certain criteria that you must meet.

Delivery can be arranged but I would want the buyer to come and view and pay in full including delivery before I will deliver. International bidders im able to facilitate container shipping if you require. European bidders the car is located less than an hour from Hull Ferry Port.

Any international bidder wanting to view im more than happy to collect from Leeds Bradford Airport for fuel costs or will collect from York Train station if you wish to fly into London/ Manchester Airports and catch the train. I can recommend a couple of good hotels also if you require.

Payment is to be made in full before the car moves from its location. by cheque (personal or business) - takes up to 7 days to clear. bank transfer or Pound Sterling Cash. There is no paypal.

I can accommodate viewings whenever you like monday - friday 19th lunchtime then im unavailable until sunday morning im afraid. I work in the world of agriculture so im no stranger to unsocial hours but i ask you to try and keep viewings to before 9ish on an evening.

If you want any more photos please ask what you want me to image and i will do my best to accommodate.  

Collection will have to be weekdays until the weekend of 3rd August as i am unavailable for work comittments the weekend of 27th/28th from the friday until the sunday late evening.

Many thanks and happy bidding.

On 14-Jul-13 at 20:41:38 BST. seller added the following information:

Congratulations those eagle eyed amongst you. the grey car in the background of the axle picture is another Marcos.  This one may also be coming up for sale but is a 3. 2L 1969 steel chassis racing car i purchased some years back. i haven't decided on selling this one as well yet if the right offer is made i would i suppose.  
I can't believe how much interest i have had in 2 hours of putting her online. please do not offer me any more daft offers this is not some cheap kit car that you will buy for £1500. 00 this is a 16K car if its finished to the right standard. and its rarer than an E type JAG!!!

Want to buy this car?